Any advice is appreciated.

[Lisa Eichenlaub]

I just joined this site to learn more about labradoodles.  Last monday i lost my buddy Neko.  We found him at the Humane Society of Pittsburgh.

  The link is to my blog and it is a story about my buddy from 2009.

http://snogirllygoeskeyboardhappy.blogspot.com/2009/07/my-son-neko-...

He was such a wonderful companion to us all (Me 51, Hubby 56, and Princess Pricilla Pumpkin Cat 16)

Although this past week has been painful, we have also celebrated the joy this animal brought our family.  I know, absolutely, that because of the joy he brought us, that I want to find a new buddy, not to replace Neko but to become a special part of our family.

The link below is something my husband wrote the night that we lost our Neko

http://networkedblogs.com/cPSzZ

Anyhow, I welcome any information anyone can give me on this beautful breed.  I know I can't afford the high prices that I have seen for this puppy, but I am going to try to find a new member for $400 or less. Is this possible?

 

We are responsible pet owners but can't spend $1600 and up for a dog.  Are we going  to be able to find one? 

I am rambling, thanks for reading this.

[Adina P]

I think what the OP said (in response to me) was that it's not about not being able to afford the cost of a puppy but that the doodle prices made her wince (in the sense of thinking such prices were outrageous).  I think that's very different than saying "I can't afford a dog."  Most people I know wouldn't pay more than $200 for a dog and that's why they get their dogs from our shelter or our local rescue.  They may very well and understandably spend more than that over the course of the dog's life (year to year even, of course) but just think (for whatever reason) that BUYING a dog should be cheap.  To them a dog is a dog and there's no reason one brand should cost more than another...so if the shelter charges $175 they think it's silly to go searching for something more expensive.

 

I totally get your point about wanting people to be prepared for what a doodle COULD cost and to not buy a dog if they can't afford to give it the highest level of care (medical, food, etc)...but I still don't think there is anything inherently wrong with wanting to get a dog for a lower up front cost.  A lot of people just don't even think of breeders...they just go to the shelter because that's what they've always done--they may not even be thinking of it as a 'kindness' or because their heart is pushing them toward helping a homeless dog.  That's just where you get dogs to them.  I guess what I'm saying is the rescue vs. good breeder issue need not be about having some kind of heart NEED to rescue vs. wanting a predictable outcome ... because in doodles there is no predictability and as long as you're prepared for a dog's potential needs wanting a shelter/rescue dog need not be about philanthropy for everyone for the adoption to work out well.

[Lisa Eichenlaub]

I find your reply presumptive, pompous and frankly offensive. 

I am able to afford and care for any domestic animal or breed  that I would choose. 

In all the years that I have been blessed with having a furry family members I have never let them go without  routine or emergency vet care, appropriate grooming , nutritious food or much love and attention.

I am sorry for my loss also, and will adopt again.  I will chose the new member of my family with focus, and if that be a labradoodle, that is my choice.  

It does not take rocket science to understand that a rescue dog may/will come with baggage and will need additional steps to make the transition a positive one.

 

I appreciate all of the kind words I have been given here.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I am sorry that my post offended you. That was not my intention at all. I do see and hear a lot of potential doodle adopters say that they want to adopt a doodle because they cannot afford to purchase one. I was basing my response on your statement: "I know I can't afford the high prices that I have seen for this puppy, but I am going to try to find a new member for $400 or less."

Again, I apologize for offending you, I in no way meant to be anything but helpful.  

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

I don't think there is anything wrong with ALL of use expressing our views as long as they are intended in a kind and respectful way.  I certainly hope that no one gets "kicked out" of any group.  That would be disturbing.

[Adina P]

Please end this tangent immediately. This has nothing to do with what the poster was asking about and is getting personal.  Take the personal off the forum or let it be.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Karen, you are an expert in so many ways - I am not, not in any way shape or form and I do not claim to be.  But please take this suggestion because I am a somewhat newbie here - many times your posts - although correct in theory, come across to a new person as a bit harsh.  For a person brand new to DK who asks a question - the response is sometimes a bit too direct.  I know your heart is in the right place but sometimes I just cringe and I am so glad I wasn't the poster.  When Rooney gets to rough - I say "gentle".

[Adina P]

I appreciate you stepping in to add kind words but since this tangent is not conducive to THIS discussion, which is not about an individual, I am asing that any individual member's character be left out of this discussion. If you want to give appreciation to a member, please start a new discussion or do it in an appropriate group :)

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I got my first labradoodle from what turned out to be a back yard breeder/puppy mill.. maybe.  Her name was Beta and she was my soul mate.  She died suddenly one day, at 6 years old, after bleeding out from a hemangiosarcoma of the the spleen.  I paid $250.00 for her and was too ill informed to ask questions about testing of the parents.  I was so terrified of having to go through an early loss of a good friend again, that I paid thousands of dollars for my next labradoodle.  I wanted the lines to have been tested for every possible disorder. In reality, there are no guarantees, but I bought peace of mind as much as an adorable doodle.   I think the prices of the Australian Labradoodles are very high but if the cost reflects the testing and knowledge of genetics, the vet bills for the care of the pregnant mother, the microchip, vaccines and spay/neuter, it may be that the breeders aren't making a ton of money on the dogs if they are doing it right.  For me it was the only way I could risk loving a dog again.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

Linda I am so sorry to hear about your little Beta :(.  My thought processes were similar to yours when I decided to pay a higher price for a dog who came from a line of dogs that were health tested.

 

My previous 2 dogs were "free" dogs!  One ended up needing surgery on both patellars and the other had severe hip dysplasia. I spent thousands of dollars on these "free" dogs.  But worse than the monetary part was  watching them suffer  with these painful genetic problems.

 

So this time I decided to pay the money "up front"  and hopefully Tara can avoid some of the misery my previous dogs endured.

 

A friend of mine adopted a dog from a shelter last year. Within a year the poor thing needed $500 worth of dental work and then had, I believe the same condition Beta had  (maybe not) but it was caught in time to save him  by an emergency trip the the 24 hour vets at a cost of $2500.00. So her $50.00 dog is now a $3050.00 dog! :)

 

 

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

My $100 (adopted) chihuahua is already a $4,000 dog :)

 

Seriously though, Lisa, I am so sorry about your loss.  You have come to the right place though!  If you can be patient, the right dog can come along through the Doodle Rescue Collective or iDog.  Also, if you end up interested in purchasing from a breeder (and get over the wince factor!), we have discussions on that as well. And I would always recommend Peri's breeder. But she charges $1,400 I believe for a standard now.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Linda, You said what I was trying to think how to say. We rescued a dog and our $100 dog quickly turned into a very expensive dog. I am so impressed with all the successful rescue stories found on DK, but we were unprepared for all the things our rescue dog had issues with and when she died, we were too gun shy to try again. Did I love her..you bet and was glad for our time together. When we went to get another dog,however, we decided too to get a puppy this time and go with a reputable breeder and to pay a much higher price. There are no guarantees in life with health, etc. but we just liked the odds better in going with a puppy with testing done on the parents. This is such a personal issue and can ignite strong feelings.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Laurie, that was exactly what I thought.  The chances might be better if the lines were healthy.  There is no testing for cancer but I just felt better knowing the breeder knew the generations before Webber.  I agree, it is a very personal choice.  If I hadn't rescued Beta I wouldn't have known about loving a doodle.  I am grateful to her.